The best plays for DraftKings cash games at each position on Week 11’s main slate. Using a combination of the players described in detail and the other options listed could make for a great Week 11 lineup.
QB: Dak Prescott ($5200)
There are a few great options at quarterback above $6000, including Carson Wentz ($6300), Cam Newton ($6200), and Drew Brees ($6500). If you can squeeze one of them in, it would be a solid strategy to do so. Yet with such a tightly priced week once again, it makes sense to pay down to avoid paying for the mid-priced options at running back and wide receiver. Since the Atlanta Falcons lost starting linebacker Deion Jones and safety Keanu Neal in Week 1, their defense has allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks (26.5). Dak Prescott looks like a nice play here, considering that every quarterback that has played them since those injuries has scored over 20 DK points. Below-average fantasy options Andy Dalton (28.8), Eli Manning (23.7), Alex Smith (20.4), and Baker Mayfield (22.6) have all had season-highs on DraftKings playing the Atlanta Falcons. Prescott and the Cowboys will be playing in their highest over/under of the season.
Other options: Drew Brees ($6500), Carson Wentz ($6300)
[Week 11 Fantasy Football Analysis: See rankings, player to add, players to drop, sleepers, busts and more.]
RB’s: David Johnson ($7500), Dion Lewis ($4800)
David Johnson: While David Johnson’s usage has appeared to change under new offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, there still are reasons to be skeptical of the Arizona Cardinals offense and their ability to score. Johnson is a huge part of the offense when Arizona does score, however, with 57% of the team’s offensive touchdowns through nine weeks. Oakland is currently allowing 30.2 points per game to opposing offenses, 3rd most in the league. Johnson is a nice option for players who can not pay up for Melvin Gordon ($8900) or Saquon Barkley ($8700) but still want a high-volume player involved in the passing game.
Dion Lewis: Lewis didn’t reward players who put them in their lineups last week, but he also didn’t exactly burn them with 8.8 points. We watched Derrick Henry vulture two touchdowns from him, yet Lewis still received the same amount of red-zone carries. Positive touchdown regression should be coming soon for Lewis, who is seeing 2.4 red-zone touches a game but has only scored twice. Lewis also has a plus matchup against a Colts defense allowing 15.6 fantasy points per game to running backs on receiving alone. Lewis is hard to pass up for his dual-threat ability and red-zone usage, especially for his price.
Other options: Saquon Barkley ($8700), Christian McCaffrey ($8000), Mark Ingram ($4700), Theo Riddick ($4000)
WR’s: Michael Thomas ($8800), Odell Beckham ($8400), Amari Cooper ($5400)
Michael Thomas: Thomas is one of the only true locks for cash this week. He has a great game environment with a 56.5 point over/under and faces off against a thin Philadelphia secondary. The Eagles are currently allowing 42.4 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, 5th most in the league. This number also hides the fact that they are now without star corner Ronald Darby. With Darby out, Thomas will see primary coverage from Sidney Jones, who is ranked as the 118th best cornerback according to playerprofiler.com. Thomas has the highest ceiling on the main slate, but also provides a nice floor because of his target efficiency (89.7% catch rate) and red-zone opportunities on a high-powered offense.
Odell Beckham: Besides Michael Thomas, Odell Beckham might have the best matchup for wide receivers on the main slate. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are allowing 44.1 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. With only one other respectable option at the position, Eli Manning and the Giants will likely see a huge day from him. Beckham is always in consideration for cash because of his floor (11.3 targets/game) and ceiling (1.8 end-zone targets/game, 66.3 air yards/game), but he looks even more in play with his best matchup of the season.
Amari Cooper: This pick will raise a few eyebrows, especially for cash game advice, but it appears that Cooper’s situation is a lot more predictable in Dallas. He has received at least 8 targets in both of his two games as a Cowboy, a number he exceeded only 4 times last year. The most encouraging part, however, is how far the targets are travelling. Per Graham Barfield, Cooper’s percentage of team air yards is now at 43 in Dallas. His percentage in Oakland was 23. He matches up against an Atlanta secondary that is 4th in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. With few serviceable options in the passing game, Dallas will have to rely on Cooper in a game where Prescott will need to throw more than usual.
Other options: DeAndre Hopkins ($7900), Alshon Jeffery ($6300), Corey Davis ($5600), Courtland Sutton ($4600)
TE: Players Below $3000
It is really tempting to try to fit in Zach Ertz in a cash lineup this week, but with pricing so tight, it does not seem like an optimal strategy. In the last few weeks, many players have gone for an inexpensive option at tight end in order to grab their top plays at running back and wide receiver. It makes a lot of sense to do that again this week. Below $3000 there really isn’t much justification for playing one player or another, but a few options worth considering are Ricky Seals-Jones ($2900), Jonnu Smith ($2700), James O’Shaughnessy ($2600), and Cameron Brate ($2600).
Other options: Zach Ertz ($6600), Jared Cook ($3900)
D/ST: Whatever fits
Like every week, picking your defense should be about who you can fit in after addressing the other positions. Among the more expensive options, ARI ($3100) stands out. In playing Arizona, you get exposure to the lowest over/under on the main slate and a matchup against an Oakland offense scoring only 15.7 points per game. For a mid-priced option, HOU ($2600) has yet to score under 3 fantasy points this season and now faces a Washington offense without multiple starting offensive lineman and position players. DET ($2000) is a last resort option for players looking to squeeze in a defense.
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